The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-25
COWHIDED BY A. MAYOR.
TWO PROMINENT MEN STIR UP
JACKSONVILLE

Lavilla's Mayor and Prominent
Merchant Lose Their Tempers in an
Argument on the Half Holiday Cues
ton Masonic Observances of st.
Johns Day.
JACKSONVILLE, June 24-Jacksonville
had sensation this morning. a
1t was horse-whipping affair, and the
principals were j. f. T. Bowden, a leading
merchant of Jacksonville and Mayor of
La Villa, and S. Ritzwollen, also a promi-
uent merchant of Jacksonville and one of
the largest property holders in this city.
A few days ago an effort was made to
give the retail clerks in town a half holiday
every Thursday, and nearly all the mer-
chants in town consented, except Mr.. Ritz
wollen. Yesterday afternoon, Mr.. Bowden,
in passing Mr. Ritzwollen's store, remarked
that the latter should close.
WARMING UP.
SIR. RitZwollen, incensed at Mr.. Bowden's
remarks, few into a passion and roundly
denounced his competitors course as Mayor
of LaVilla, and finally wound up his TRADE
Of abuse by insinuating that Mr.. Bowden
secretly burned his (Bowden's store, about
two winters ago, to get the insurance.
This was more than the Mayor of LaViga
could stand, and forgetting his dignity as
public official he invited his accuser out on
the side walk and promised Ito do him up
in lively STYLE but the willy Ritzwollen.
whose averdupois is considerable, refused to
come to the scratch.
Finding that Mr.. Ritzwollen would not
leave his store, Mr.. Bowden threatened that
the first time he caught him on the streets
he would cowhide him, and this morning
the opportunity presented itself
PLYING THE cowHIDE
Mr.. Ritzwollen was walking on Bay street,
opposite Keene's millinery store. and ut
tefly unconscious of any trouble, when Mr..
Bowden met him, the latter having huge
cowhide in his hand. Before Mr.. Ritzwol-
len could do anything Mr.. Bowden brought
the whip down with terrific swiftness on his
shoulders, and for a few seconds a
lively sight was presented TO the
crowd which gathered. The assaulted man
fe1 into the millinery establishment. which
was filed with ladies, closely pursued by
the Infatuated Bowden, who still continued
to ply the lash until bystanders interfered
and separated the two men. Mr.. Bowden
then left, having declared himself perfectly
Satihed.
The event has created big sensation in
the city owing to the prominence of the par
ties.
JACKsoNyILLE's THEATRE.
Since the burning of the Park Theatre
here about six weeks ago Jacksonville has
been very much exercised over the building
Of a new theatre. because it was feared that
William Aston, the millionaire owner of the
lot where the former theatre stood, would
not rent the plot for twenty years The
directors were unwilling to build theatre
unless Mr.. Aston promised to lease them the
lot Several other sites were talked of, but
no definite action was taken. and it was
feared that Jacksonville would be without a
theatre this summer. Tonight, however, a
telegram was received from Mr.. Astor, who
has just returned from Europe, stating bis
willingness to rent the former site for twenty
years at $500 per annuIn. As a result OF
this information the directors will meet to
morrow, and Immediately take steps to in
sure the erection of new building.
Jacksonville was invatied tonight by a
fire company from Rome, GA. The com
pany has been on a weeks excursion, visit
ing Brunswick and the adjoining islands.
The company is in charge of Chief Seay and
Will probably visit st. Augustine tomorrow
and then return home
The South Florida railroad will after next
Monday run only one through train daily
from Sanford to Tampa on account of the
quarantine regulations.
Pablo Beach was visited to-day by a white
Masonic excursion 500 strong.